Things to do nearKelly Park - Rock Springs

Kelly Park Rock Springs sits within a 242-acre Orange County park that has drawn swimmers and nature lovers for generations. The spring itself is a first-magnitude spring, releasing millions of gallons of water daily at a steady temperature that makes it inviting even during Florida's hottest summers. The spring run, roughly a quarter mile long, is the centerpiece of the park, threading beneath a dense canopy of cypress trees draped with Spanish moss before opening onto wider, shallower sections where children wade and herons pick their way along the edges.

Beyond the water, the park contains picnic areas, a campground with tent and RV sites, a playground, and walking trails that wind through upland forest and floodplain habitat. Wildlife sightings are common here, from river otters and soft-shell turtles to the wading birds that patrol the shallows throughout the day. The surrounding landscape reflects the karst geology of central Florida, where ancient limestone formations create the aquifer system that feeds springs like this one across the region.

Rangers and park staff maintain the grounds carefully, and the facilities are clean and well organized. The atmosphere is relaxed and genuinely local, drawing Central Florida families who have been coming here for decades alongside visitors encountering a Florida spring for the first time. Kelly Park Rock Springs offers a rare chance to experience one of the state's most distinctive natural features in a setting that has retained its quiet, unhurried character.